Airbnb Check Out Instructions: A Complete Guide with 3 Templates

When guests are getting ready to leave your Airbnb, clear checkout instructions make the final stage of their stay easier for everyone. They are an important part of guest communication, helping guests understand what to do before they leave and reducing unnecessary questions or last-minute confusion. A smooth checkout also leaves a positive impression that may lead to a great review.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to create clear, thoughtful Airbnb checkout instructions. You’ll also find practical templates you can easily adapt for your own property.

Why Do Hosts Need Airbnb Check-Out Instructions?

Airbnb checkout instructions are essential for a smooth and professional guest experience. They help guests leave on time and reduce confusion.

1. Streamline Turnover

Clear instructions help guests leave on time and return keys where your team can find them. This lets the cleaner start as planned without having to chase access details. Keep the cleaning team’s turnover checklist separate from the guest’s departure requests.

2. Leave a Strong Final Impression

A thoughtful farewell message shows professionalism. It also helps guests feel valued. Airbnb check-out instructions reflect your focus on detail and can improve how guests remember their stay. This final step may encourage them to rebook or recommend your place to others.

3. Set Clear Expectations

Guests often don’t know what’s expected at departure. Without guidance, they may leave the property in poor condition or message you with questions. Clear checkout instructions prevent misunderstandings and make the process smoother for everyone.

When to Send Airbnb Checkout Instructions?

Publish applicable checkout requests before booking, then use a well-timed reminder to help guests prepare. Check what Airbnb and your own software already send so guests do not receive several overlapping messages.

Before Booking: Put rules and reasonable checkout requests in the House rules and requests section, not just in the listing description. Guests need to see them before deciding to book.
At Check-in: Reinforce your checkout process when guests arrive. Add the instructions to your welcome letter or house manual. This helps establish clear expectations and reduces questions later.
Before Check-out: Send a friendly reminder the night before departure. This keeps the instructions fresh and helps guests prepare. Many hosts find this timing reduces last-minute issues or forgotten tasks.

Manually sending instructions at each stage can be overwhelming. To save time, use vacation rental tools to automate messages.

For example, Hostex lets you create automatic messages triggered by check-in and check-out dates. This ensures guests always receive the right information, at the right time, without extra effort from you.

Hostex blue banner reading Automated messages for every stay milestone with chat-bubble icon and Get 15-day free trial button

How to Craft Effective Airbnb Check-Out Instructions?

Well-written Airbnb check-out instructions help guests leave on a positive note. Follow these tips to create clear and thoughtful messages that support a smooth departure.

1. Keep It Simple and Clear

Use short, direct sentences. Break down the steps in logical order. Avoid vague terms like “tidy up” or “return items,” and instead explain exactly what you mean. For example, say “Place used towels in the laundry basket.”

2. Cover All Essentials

Include key details such as:

Check-out time
Where to leave the keys
Whether to lock the doors or windows
Indoor bin locations and any reasonable, previously published sorting request
Signing out of personal streaming accounts, if applicable

Think from the guest’s perspective. Will they know what to do without asking follow-up questions?

3. Confirm for Accuracy

Outdated or incorrect instructions can cause stress and delays. Review your message regularly to reflect any changes to your property, check-out time, or key handover process. Accuracy builds trust and avoids misunderstandings.

4. Use a Friendly and Civil Tone

Stay warm and professional. Use a thank-you line and clear, polite wording. A pleasant tone does not turn an otherwise unreasonable checkout task into an acceptable request.

What to Include in Your Airbnb Check-Out Instructions

Well-crafted check-out instructions reduce potential misunderstandings and ensure your property is ready for the next guests.

They can leave a lasting positive impression and help increase repeat bookings. Here’s what to include:

1. Check-out Time

Clearly state the checkout date and confirmed deadline. Avoid giving a departure window that could be read as a request to leave earlier than the booked time.

For example: “Please check out by 11 AM on [date].”

You may also explain why checking out on time matters, such as preparing for incoming guests or the cleaner’s arrival.

2. Locking Up and Safety

Remind guests to close all windows and lock the doors before leaving to ensure the property’s security. This is especially important, as unlocked doors or windows can pose safety risks.

If you or your staff will be present during turnover, you can ease this requirement slightly. However, it still emphasizes the importance of leaving the home secure.

3. Key Return

If your vacation rental uses physical keys, clearly explain where they should be returned.

For instance: “Please return the keys to the lockbox on the porch; there are sets for both the front and back doors.”

If you use a smart lock, explain how to close and lock the door. Mention code expiry only if it has been configured for that reservation, and update access arrangements if you approve a late checkout.

4. Light Checkout Requests

The cleaning fee does not determine which tasks Airbnb permits you to request. A low or waived fee does not justify assigning normal turnover work to guests.

Keep published requests brief, such as gathering used towels or leaving used dishes in the sink. Under the updated policy, hosts generally cannot ask guests to strip beds, take trash off-site, or wash and put away dishes. Airbnb may consider relevant local exceptions, so check unusual circumstances with the platform.

5. Turning Off Appliances

Remind guests to turn off the specific devices appropriate for your property. Leave the refrigerator, safety systems, and any equipment that must remain running out of the request. Typical items to mention include:

Lights
Electronics, such as TVs
Air conditioning or heating
Gas or electric fireplaces

6. Final Check for Belongings

Guests often forget personal items, so include a reminder to check for anything left behind. Ask them to look through drawers, outlets, and under beds.

This reduces the hassle of mailing lost items and improves the overall experience.

7. Review Request

Politely ask guests to leave a review as part of your check-out message. You can briefly explain how reviews support your business and future guests.

We also have a detailed article on how to get more 5-star Airbnb reviews, which may be helpful.

8. Contact Information

Tell guests how to contact you through the Airbnb reservation thread if they have a question after checkout or discover they left something behind.

How to Deliver Check-out Instructions to Your Guests?

Providing Airbnb checkout instructions clearly and on time helps avoid misunderstandings and ensures a smooth guest departure. Here are three effective ways to deliver your message:

1. Sending via Airbnb

Airbnb now brings checkout requests into the House rules and requests area. To update them on desktop:

Go to Listings and select your property.
Under Listing editor, choose House rules and requests.
Under Requests, select Add requests and choose Before checkout.
Enter your reasonable requests and save.

See Airbnb’s current instructions. Do not rely on a notification being delivered or opened: the published information should be accurate, and any departure message should repeat it rather than add new obligations.

2. Displaying in Your Home

Placing Airbnb check-out instructions inside your property reinforces the information guests saw before booking. Signs must not introduce new rules or requests. Here are a few helpful strategies:

Create a Clear Sign: Design a simple, readable sign outlining key check-out procedures, like check-out time and key return instructions.
Choose Strategic Locations: Place the sign in high-traffic areas, such as the kitchen or near the front door, to ensure guests see it.
Add a Personal Touch: Consider leaving a handwritten note thanking guests for their stay. This adds warmth and encourages positive feedback.
Use a Checklist: If there are multiple tasks, a checklist format can help guests easily track what they need to do before leaving.

This approach works especially well for guests who miss digital reminders or prefer visual cues.

3. Using Vacation Rental Software

If you list your property on multiple OTA platforms, using vacation rental software can save significant time and effort.

Hostex, for example, allows you to send automated Airbnb checkout instructions across platforms. You can customize messages and schedule them to reach guests exactly when needed.

Use Hostex’s automated messaging to configure a checkout reminder. Review it when a guest’s departure time changes, and keep channel-specific requirements in the relevant template.

This reduces repeated manual sending while keeping the departure message focused on what guests need for the current stay.

Best Airbnb Check-out Instructions Templates

Now that you understand the basics of check-out instructions, here are some complete free templates you can customize for your messages.

Template1: Clear and Direct

Dear [guest name],

Thank you for staying with us at our Airbnb! We hope you had a wonderful time. 

Your stay will end on [check-out date]. To ensure a smooth check-out, please follow these instructions:

· Please check out by [checkout time] to allow us to prepare for the next guest.
· Return all keys to the lockbox outside.
· Turn off [specific lights/devices]; leave the refrigerator running.
· Close and lock all doors and windows for safety.

Thank you for following these instructions. 
We look forward to your next visit!

Template2: Concise and Clear

Hi [guest name],

Thank you for staying with us! Just a reminder that your check-out time is tomorrow at [checkout time]. 

Before you leave, please check for your belongings and return the keys to [location]. Make sure to lock the door when you leave.

Hope you had a great time, and we look forward to your next visit!

Safe travels!

Template3: Friendly Reminder

Hello [guest name],

Your time with us is coming to an end. We hope you have created lovely memories during your stay!
To ensure a smooth departure, here are your check-out details:

Check-out Time:  
Your scheduled check-out is by [checkout time] to allow our cleaning staff to prepare for the next guest. 
If you have any questions or need a later check-out, please message us through your Airbnb reservation, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.

Check-out Preparation:  
Before you leave, please:
· [If published before booking: Please place used towels in the laundry basket.]
· Leave dirty dishes in the kitchen; our cleaners will take care of them.
· Turn off [specific lights/devices]; leave the refrigerator running.
· Check each room for any belongings you may have left behind.
· Ensure all windows are closed.
· Lock the front and back doors and return the keys to the lockbox.

Other Notes:  
If you accidentally damaged any items during your stay, please let us know. We will document the issue and follow Airbnb’s reimbursement process where appropriate.

We’d love your feedback, whether positive or constructive, to help us improve for future guests. Please consider leaving an honest review on Airbnb; your feedback helps future guests.

Thank you again for choosing our Airbnb! We hope to welcome you again soon!

Safe travels,  
[your name]

FAQs about Check-Out Instructions

Can I charge guests for not completing checkout tasks?

Do not impose a fixed fine or cleaning-task penalty. A reimbursement request for actual damage or eligible unexpected cleaning is a different process, subject to Airbnb’s terms and evidence requirements.

What if a guest asks for a late checkout?

Check the next arrival and cleaning schedule before agreeing. Confirm the approved time in the reservation thread, then update reminders and any expiring access code so the team and guest receive consistent information.

Airbnb Check Out Instructions: A Complete Guide with 3 Free Templates